Taming Ecuador : Should the Super Eagles go on an all-out attack?

On Friday morning, Nigeria will play Ecuador in a friendly at the Red Bull Arena stadium in preparation for the upcoming AFCON qualifying matches.

It'll be manager Jose Peseiro's second game in charge after a defeat to Mexico in his debut.

The upcoming friendly game against El Tricolor is a potential banana skin for the Super Eagles.

Having lost against Mexico there will be an added pressure on Jose Peseiro and his men to seize the initiative and take the game to the Americans.

This is exactly the situation that Ecuador loves to face. It plays into coach Gustavo Alfaro preference to use a 4-3-3 formation, with one of the central midfielders attempting to spread the play wide.

The likes of Valencia, Estrada, Caicedo, and Estupián have enough pace and creativity to pose a threat to Nigeria's vulnerable back line.

So this begs the question, should Nigeria choose to go on an all-out attack in search of goals? Or should a more cautious approach be considered?

An all-out attack will certainly open up the Super Eagles' fragile backline to Ecuador's fast attackers. Not to forget that Ekong scored an own goal against Mexico when the pressure was ramped up by El Tri.

For this game, allnigeriasoccer.com will recommend that Nigeria start cautiously and try to contain Ecuador in the central positions.

Limiting their usage of the flanks takes away their biggest weapon and the Super Eagles should use this.
 

Concede possession and lure them forward into central areas but make sure the flanks are well protected.

If this plan is well-executed, counter-attacking them on fast breaks will bring them down. It's a case of giving them a taste of their own medicine.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

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